Lumina fr. L. light, air, opening...occasional musings about the wisdom, compassion, and power of human being...

November 2008

Generation Jones?

"In demographic terms, Generation Jones was part of the baby boom which ended in the early 1960s. However, the events stereotypically associated with generational discussion of Boomers, including protests over civil rights and the Vietnam war and the emergence of rock music took place while the members of Generation Jones were still children or early teenagers... Thus the early life experience of this group was more similar, in many respects, to that commonly imputed to Generation X. Generation Jones is thus associated with such pop icons such as Pong, the "Walkman", Rubics Cube and MTV."Wikipediaentry excerpt

Apparently, there are some people born in 1961 who when polled recently, proclaimed themselves to be members of Generation Jones, a name coined by social commentator,Jonathan Pontell. This generation, previously unknown to me, is the subject of a recent post by William Harryman of Integral Options Café. Described as a lost generation between Boomers and Generation X that is characterized by their shared experience of largely unfulfilled expectations, Generation Jones has been heralded by some as the real next generation of leadership in the United States.

While I’m not surprised that people considered to be on the cusp of generations might not identify as fully with one or the other, this identification of bridging Boomers and Gen X-ers as Generation Jonesers creates a quickening of sorts in the generational timeline. With the addition of Generation Jones, if I’ve understood correctly, the time-spans for the generations start to look more like ten to fifteen years per generation with Boomers identified in this version of the timeline as those born between 1943 -1953, then Generation Jones born between 1954 – 1965, Generation X born between 1966 – 1981, and Millennials born between 1981 – 2001. That said, if you go to Wikipedia and look up the different generations, you will find enough disparate time allocations to make your head spin.

As referenced in the previous post about Gen X, I tend to favor those timespans used by William Strauss and Neil Howe, which they have correlated with significant watershed moments, cultural and socioeconomic conditions that they think have shaped each generation. Yet, however one slices the generational timeline, it seems that the traditional span of twenty to thirty years per generation is no longer as common in defining new generational cohorts as is the perceived collective experience that can be translated into a somewhat coherent cultural zeitgeist. Given how rapidly our world seems to be changing in response to new technology, global climate change, and the like, this trend is not surprising, although it does make generational definitions a bit trickier, perhaps a bit more arbitrary—more like moving targets than fixed positions in a generational timeline.

I do like the trend toward self-definition as an important factor though. Asking people to choose the generation with which they identify most is just one step away from respecting individuals of different ages enough to ask them to define and characterize their own generation—giving each generation a chance to describe themselves before being labeled thus and so by people of other generations. Imagine that.

Millennials, or whatever you choose to call yourselves, you may be the first generation to come of age in a time in which your perspective about yourselves is actually sought after and respected by people of other generations. Granted, this interest in your perspective may be mostly motivated by commercial self-interests like how to sell stuff you don’t need to your generation (I know, such a stereotypically cynical X-er perspective), but still, all cultural shifts begin with lip-service to unrealized ideals, so enjoy the invitation to be heard speaking what’s true for you in your own voice. I, for one, am listening with open ears and an open mind.

Meanwhile, back to the whole Generation Jones revelation—I suppose that it’s entirely possible for there to be distinct differences between those at the cusp and those more in the middle of previously defined generations. However, so far I haven’t heard any clear distinctions. From my limited reading to date and viewing the video, the description of Generation Jones sounds to me like a more respectful portrayal of Generation X, which if attributed to us instead of Generation Jones, would be a more accurate portrayal of Generation X, and one that accounts for our generation's growth over time as new conditions have shaped our experience and other people's experience of us. Of course, this description is not attributed to Generation X. It seems that the popular, uncomplimentary depiction of Gen X is unlikely to change, so assumed by others that when staring a more accurate alternative in the face, they can't recognize it unless they call it something else.

Given this unfortunate stickiness of the usually disparaging characterization of Gen X, it is not at all surprising that some older X-ers would prefer to identify with an alternative like Generation Jones, particularly if they have bought into the popular and outdated (mis)perceptions about Generation X. I mean, who, if given the option, would actually choose to be part of a generation historically characterized as a bunch of apathetic, whining, entitled slackers? Nor is it surprising that some younger Boomers with their characteristic distaste for all things aging, except maybe vintage wine and cheese, might want to dissociate themselves from the next retiring generation. As a Gen X-er none too fond of the popular connotations of the Gen X label, I can't say that I blame them. However, regardless of whether or not Jonesers are a genuinely distinct generation or a mix of younger Boomers and older Gen X-ers in disguise, maybe they could have adopted a more creative and inspiring moniker than Generation Jones? Just a thought.

Thanks so much for contributing your perspective. Generational commentary, including mine, is guilty of sweeping generalizations that don't always honor the individuals within the collective, so hearing individual perspectives is enlightening--and so very welcome here. Maybe we'll learn more about the distinctions as Obama's presidency inspires more people to take a closer look at the various generations.

Huh. Fascinating. I've never heard of this until you posted about it, but it does rather make sense. I've never exactly felt part of either of the extreme ends of those generations but rather stuck somewhere in the middle. Interesting to see I'm not alone in that feeling, though why on earth "Jones"? Can it be more boring?